Honigs micro fiber face mask pads

[dph1026]

Thinking about purchasing Pro-line mask with micro-fiber pads heard bad things about diamonds pads just wondering what honigs were like

[Marcus6]

Thinking about purchasing Pro-line mask with micro-fiber pads heard bad things about diamonds pads just wondering what honigs were like

Never tried them but I sure wish they made their doeskin pads again!

[boyinr]

I tried on a Diamond mask with the microfiber pads and did find it a little too "grabby" on the beard stubble for my liking. I have a new All Star (FM2000) and the microfiber pads are very comfortable even on the goatee. I also have a Honigs Pro Line (K95) and I really like the shape of this frame. It is not as light as some but it is a little wider than standard (9" vs 8.5") and it really seems to fit my face shape well.

[raiders]

i like honigs products...but their masks are just too heavy....today where 21 ounces is avg ...the honigs mask weighs 23/24 ounces......my 1993 reach mas with doeskin pads weighs just under 23 ounces....almost 20 year mask and still lighter than honigs lightest mask...btw ...the reach mask i have is the best mask i have used...the old pos is second best ......i have the new silver diamond mask but honestly the pads are ****....u have to buy another set of pads for 30 to 40 bucks making this mask around 100 bucks...my buddy has the new champro super light mask...we weighed it with pads and harness and it came just under 16 ounces..wow...makes the diamond one heavy....i have four masks in my bag...my number one big game mask lol my 1993 honigs purchased reach mask ....my number two mask...1993 lightweight pos mask.....my 2010 silve diamond mask i used for low level games...and my 5 year honigs mask that is collecting dust....btw...one guy offered my 15 bucks for it....didnt sell it...it is still new i only wore a handful of games

[BigZigBlue]

Dang I love my Diamond mask with the pads..I did however change the pads out with the Honigs microfiber pads and it does feel better than the diamond pads. I did have a little bit of snagging the chin hair but i just trimmed it up and was fine. I dished a #3 and #4 match up in HS last season and the pitcher was throwing low to mid 90s. (He got drafted of course). Well took a foul ball on the chin from a pitch he threw and nothing......mask went flying about 8 feet (made for a good photo). I like how light it is due to fact of it flying off and not staying put light concrete when you get hit...deflects the blow..also it is pretty strong because the mask is not bent or phased at all....a lot of umpires in my association started to get the diamond after it "passed the test." But I am prolly gonna save up for a Titanium Mask around the middle of the year...but i guess its all about what makes us more comfortable behind the dish!!!

[kylejt]

Have any of you tried the new Honig's frame with the Team Wendy mask pads? I wouldn't blow of the Honig's stuff just yet.

[ukce1861]

Have any of you tried the new Honig's frame with the Team Wendy mask pads? I wouldn't blow of the Honig's stuff just yet.

I'm curious about those too. I meant to post about them a few weeks (months?) ago when they came out but forgot.

[umpirecordova]

I just purchased and recived a pair of Team Wendy mask pads. And they are very nice! the seem like they are very protective and they fit the face very well. I will put up pics very soon.

[Thunderheads]

Have any of you tried the new Honig's frame with the Team Wendy mask pads? I wouldn't blow of the Honig's stuff just yet.

Isn't that what the OP is referring to?

[Marcus6]

Have any of you tried the new Honig's frame with the Team Wendy mask pads? I wouldn't blow of the Honig's stuff just yet.

Isn't that what the OP is referring to?

They have microfiber pads and then the Wendys Pads.

Microfiber mask:

http://www.honigs.com/sub/0/K98

Wendys mask:

http://www.honigs.com/sub/176/K94

The Wendys pads might be a good review for Pete @ Midwest Ump

[Fittske24]

I like the Honig's replacement pads. They are a great alternative to the Wilson wraparound pads. I use them in my Nike mask and they fit perfectly.

[midmoump]

The Wendys pads might be a good review for Pete @ Midwest Ump

Team Wendy sent trial pads last month. I am still waiting for some research data from the company and will publish a review in the near future.

Thanks for the interest in Midwest Ump!

Pete

[detailshp]

i like honigs products...but their masks are just too heavy....today where 21 ounces is avg ...the honigs mask weighs 23/24 ounces......my 1993 reach mas with doeskin pads weighs just under 23 ounces....almost 20 year mask and still lighter than honigs lightest mask...btw ...the reach mask i have is the best mask i have used...the old pos is second best ......i have the new silver diamond mask but honestly the pads are ****....u have to buy another set of pads for 30 to 40 bucks making this mask around 100 bucks...my buddy has the new champro super light mask...we weighed it with pads and harness and it came just under 16 ounces..wow...makes the diamond one heavy....i have four masks in my bag...my number one big game mask lol my 1993 honigs purchased reach mask ....my number two mask...1993 lightweight pos mask.....my 2010 silve diamond mask i used for low level games...and my 5 year honigs mask that is collecting dust....btw...one guy offered my 15 bucks for it....didnt sell it...it is still new i only wore a handful of games

I got one of those super light Champro masks for Christmas Going to that from an old Honigs. I can't WAIT to try it out. Going from the Honigs to the Champro ( and the thinner bars too ) just feels weird to me, in trying it out at home. How long has your buddy used the Champro mask?

[Marcus6]

Thinking about purchasing Pro-line mask with micro-fiber pads heard bad things about diamonds pads just wondering what honigs were like

Never tried them but I sure wish they made their doeskin pads again!

Aaron - Why did you guys discontinue your doeskin mask pads? IMO they were the best pads on the market (havent tried the Wendys pads though).

[raiders]

i like honigs products...but their masks are just too heavy....today where 21 ounces is avg ...the honigs mask weighs 23/24 ounces......my 1993 reach mas with doeskin pads weighs just under 23 ounces....almost 20 year mask and still lighter than honigs lightest mask...btw ...the reach mask i have is the best mask i have used...the old pos is second best ......i have the new silver diamond mask but honestly the pads are ****....u have to buy another set of pads for 30 to 40 bucks making this mask around 100 bucks...my buddy has the new champro super light mask...we weighed it with pads and harness and it came just under 16 ounces..wow...makes the diamond one heavy....i have four masks in my bag...my number one big game mask lol my 1993 honigs purchased reach mask ....my number two mask...1993 lightweight pos mask.....my 2010 silve diamond mask i used for low level games...and my 5 year honigs mask that is collecting dust....btw...one guy offered my 15 bucks for it....didnt sell it...it is still new i only wore a handful of games

I got one of those super light Champro masks for Christmas Going to that from an old Honigs. I can't WAIT to try it out. Going from the Honigs to the Champro ( and the thinner bars too ) just feels weird to me, in trying it out at home. How long has your buddy used the Champro mask?

hi..my buddy got his mask may 2010...he wore it aBOUT 50 TIMES at all levels...he loves it....i wore it once and it was very light...like i said lighter than silver diamond mask....and the pads are bettter than the diamond ones...he paid 80 bucks for it.....im thinking of adding this mask to may already 4 plus collections lol

[NWA_UMP]

I have the champro mask with Wilson Doe skin wrap around pads on it...love it. I have taken several hard shots and the mask is great...now my face is a different issue :rolleyes:

[midmoump]

Review of Team Wendy mask pads here:

http://midwestump.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-of-team-wendy-umps-mask-pads.html

Look for a comparison review of pads from Team Wendy, Wilson, Diamond, Champro and All-Star with impact attenuation testing using an accelerometer in the near future.

Pete

[rth54]

Nice review Pete. I have a set of the Wendy's pads, and I like them very much. While firm they are very comfortable. The cloth/ microfiber material that they use is, in my opinion, more comfortable than any of the other pads of the moisture wicking/ cloth/ microfiber genre. Having said that, the construction issue you raise is something to be aware of. My set shows some signs of the stitching being strained and I will be interested to see how durable the pads prove to be. Perhaps the fabric is merely a bit tricky to stitch.

In the end, however, If, as the data would seem to suggest, the Zorbium does in fact prove to offer an increased level of protection, these pads are certainly a good option, and, I would not be surprised if Team Wendy upgraded the cloth material in the next version of this pad. They seem to have a good reputation, and, in light of that, I am optimistic. These pads I believe are a step in the right direction for the traditional mask wearer, especially for those working in hot weather.

[Marcus6]

Review of Team Wendy mask pads here:

http://midwestump.bl...-mask-pads.html

Look for a comparison review of pads from Team Wendy, Wilson, Diamond, Champro and All-Star with impact attenuation testing using an accelerometer in the near future.

Pete

Pete,

I am a bit confused by your review. The review is mostly informative (about the properties of Zorbium and has a few parts where you offer a review on aspects of the new mask pads. Seems like you have a lot of things you are, at least a bit critical of, with the pads in the review - the construction, the cloth exterior vs a leather exterior, the fact these may show dirt easily, Yet, at the end you say your overall review is "fair." I think the pads are a great idea but for me, it does not matter how protective they are if they are constructed poorly. I agree its a great idea to produce a mask pad with this technology that could prevent concussions and other injuries, but it seems the mask pads are constructed poorly and are not worth $40. I was thinking of buying these, but after reading your review I dont think I am going to.

[rth54]

Pete appears to use a simple Fair or Foul criteria, with Fair = positive, and Foul = negative. It probably should not be read as Fair = middle of the road, average, or so-so.

In my reading of his reviews, Fair is a generally positive statement. In this case with some observations to be aware of.

[Marcus6]

Pete appears to use a simple Fair or Foul criteria, with Fair = positive, and Foul = negative. It probably should not be read as Fair = middle of the road, average, or so-so.

In my reading of his reviews, Fair is a generally positive statement. In this case with some observations to be aware of.

I understand how he rates things as either "fair" or "foul."

My question about how the pads were rated "fair" when he mentioned there were construction issues with the pads and didnt seem to elaborate a whole lot on an actual review of the pads. I agree I love the idea of introducing this type of technology to umpire gear to improve our safety, but it has to be available in a well-made & durarble product. These pads sell for $39.95 - certainly at the top of the price point for replacement mask pads. Im not spending almost $40 on a set of pads that dont appear to be constructed well. Just my $.02.

[midmoump]

I love the idea of introducing this type of technology to umpire gear to improve our safety, but it has to be available in a well-made & durarble product. These pads sell for $39.95 - certainly at the top of the price point for replacement mask pads.

I think the Zorbium foam technology used in the Team Wendy pads is a step forward in umpire protection. How large a step I can't say until I complete my comparative testing with other mask pads. Despite the fact the construction of these pads is sub-par, I believe the advancement in protection deserves an overall "Fair" call (as long as their claims are not disproved). Take a hard look at the pictures in the article and judge for yourself (clicking on a pix will enlarge it). My opinion is the pads are not unsightly, but certainly not well constructed.

Don Tecco from Team Wendy tells me that they are working to sell Zorbium foam to existing manufacturers so they can make their own pads. That is probably best for Team Wendy to stick to research and development of protective materials and leave construction of mask pads to more experienced manufacturers.

As a side note, look hard at the Team Wendy testing data. The rigid (and virtually indestructible) Diamond mask scored poorly in terms of impact attenuation, with its original padding or with the Team Wendy pads. The Diamond is more resistant to bending and breaking, but that durability comes at a price: less of the impact forces are absorbed by the cage. Just something to consider when purchasing your next mask.

Pete

[Majordave]

Pete said: " ....less of the impact forces are absorbed by the cage."

That's why the harness should be loose so the mask moves and takes all that negative energy with it. Been hit dozens of times, some of them really strong, full on impact and with a loose mask, low-profile at that, never so much as felt a buzz or anything like a concussion, etc.

That being said. I have occasion to look at the military version of the Zorbium on a daily basis (I got issued a crappy civilian tan, South African made helmet of inferior quality so I don't have them myself), but the Army and other branches guys have them. They seem nice and I would definitely try them. I would love to see them wrapped in doeskin.

My two cents...

[Marcus6]

I would love to see them wrapped in doeskin.

I was excited to buy the Wendys pads this year but I think Im gonna wait until next year or until we see the foam with a doeskin or leather covering. I know Aaron from Honig's reads and posts here occasionally, hopefully this is something they think about.

[kwiggie]

That's why the harness should be loose so the mask moves and takes all that negative energy with it.

I completely agree, and practice this same "set up" with my Diamond mask. However... last night I took two shots dead nutz on the chin about 3 batters apart with an f1 who was throwing with some zip. There was less of a "peeling" and more of a "crushing" effect that followed . In all defense of the mask (which I am very happy with) it did not have a chance to peel due to the location of the hits... square on the chin. After the second shot my ears were ringing, and I had a click in the jaw for the rest of the night.

So with that said, it has been 5 months since OP. Anyone slapped a pair of these (Team Wendy) on a Diamond, or similar grill, and given them a real field test yet... what do you think?